Parts and steps
Every part, and the steps behind it
The parts of each product first, then the materials, equipment and grid-side steps on its chain. Each page says what happens there, who makes it, and where.
Parts of the solar module
- FrameAn extruded aluminum frame holds the laminate rigid and gives the module its mounting edge.
- Cover glassLow-iron tempered glass on the front lets light through and takes the weather.
- EncapsulantPolymer sheets above and below the cells, melted in the laminator, seal them against moisture.
- CellsWafers turned into cells, where light becomes current. The part the rules care most about.
- Ribbon and interconnectTinned copper ribbon strings the cells together and carries the current to the edge.
- BacksheetThe polymer sheet on the back insulates the module and keeps moisture out.
- Junction boxThe box on the back where the strings meet the cables, with bypass diodes inside.
- Assembled moduleGlass, encapsulant, cells, backsheet and frame laminated and framed into the finished module.
Other steps on the chain
- Quartz & Silica MiningRaw Extraction
- Silver MiningRaw Extraction
- Soda Ash ProductionRaw Extraction
- Metallurgical SiliconIntermediate Processing
- Polysilicon RefiningIntermediate Processing
- Silver RefiningIntermediate Processing
- Silver Paste & MetallizationIntermediate Processing
- Quartz CruciblesCore Components
- Ingot Growth & Wafer CuttingCore Components
- Thin-Film Absorber MaterialsCore Components
- Inverters & Power ElectronicsModule & BOS
- Trackers & RackingModule & BOS
- InstallationModule & BOS
- MV TransformersModule & BOS
- Plant ControlsModule & BOS
Parts of the battery cell
- CathodeThe positive electrode material coated onto aluminum foil.
- AnodeGraphite coated onto copper foil, the negative electrode.
- SeparatorThe porous film between the electrodes.
- ElectrolyteThe lithium salt solution that carries ions between the electrodes.
- Current collectorsThe metal foils the electrodes are coated on.
- Assembled cellElectrodes, separator and electrolyte sealed into a cell.
Other steps on the chain
- Lithium ExtractionMineral Extraction
- Nickel MiningMineral Extraction
- Cobalt MiningMineral Extraction
- Natural Graphite MiningMineral Extraction
- Lithium Carbonate & HydroxideRefining & Salts
- Lithium Salts (LiPF6)Refining & Salts
- Nickel SulfateRefining & Salts
- Cobalt SulfateRefining & Salts
- Manganese RefiningRefining & Salts
- Needle Coke & PitchRefining & Salts
- BindersCell Components
- Conductive AdditivesCell Components
- Sodium-Ion MaterialsActive Materials
- Module & Pack AssemblyPack & System
- BESS IntegrationPack & System
- InstallationPack & System
- MV TransformersPack & System
- Plant Controls & PCSPack & System
Parts of the chip
- WaferThe polished silicon disc the chips are built on.
- DieThe patterned, fabricated circuit, cut from the wafer.
- SubstrateThe laminate the die is mounted on inside the package.
- Leadframe and wireThe metal frame and bonding wire that connect the die outward.
- Mold compoundThe epoxy that encases the die.
- Packaged chipThe die packaged and tested.
Other steps on the chain
- Quartz & Silica MiningRaw Extraction
- Metallurgical SiliconSilicon Refining
- Electronic-Grade PolysiliconSilicon Refining
- Quartz CruciblesWafer
- EUV Mask BlanksFab Materials
- PhotomasksFab Materials
- PhotoresistsFab Materials
- Electronic & Specialty GasesFab Materials
- High-Purity Wet ChemicalsFab Materials
- CMP Slurries & PadsFab Materials
- Lithography ToolsEquipment
- Deposition, Etch & Implant ToolsEquipment
- Metrology & InspectionEquipment
- Wafer Cleaning ToolsEquipment
- Assembly & Test EquipmentEquipment
Parts of the humanoid robot
- Joint moduleThe actuator at each joint: driver, encoder, motor, reducer and bearing in one housing. A humanoid has around thirty.
- Motor driverThe board that switches current into the motor windings on command.
- EncoderThe sensor that reads the joint angle, so the controller knows where the limb is.
- MotorA frameless permanent-magnet motor, the rotor and stator built straight into the joint.
- MagnetsSintered neodymium magnets on the rotor. The part the rule cares most about: most are made in one country.
- ReducerThe gear that turns the motor's fast, weak spin into slow, strong joint torque. Strain wave, cycloidal or planetary.
- BearingThe crossed roller bearing that carries the joint's load while it turns.
- Battery packThe pack in the torso: cells, a management board and a case.
- CellsThe lithium-ion cells inside the pack.
- ComputeThe GPU or SoC module that runs the robot's models and control loops.
- CamerasThe camera modules in the head and hands: an image sensor behind a lens.
- LidarA 3D lidar for depth, where the robot carries one.
- IMUThe inertial measurement unit: a gyroscope and an accelerometer on one chip, telling the robot how it is moving.
- HandThe dexterous hand at the end of each arm: finger drives and sensors built into one unit. Two per robot.
- Finger driveThe micro motor or micro linear actuator that moves a finger.
- Tactile sensorPressure sensor arrays in the fingertips and the palm, so the hand feels what it holds.
- FrameThe structural parts of the torso and limbs, in aluminium, titanium and engineering plastics.
- WiringThe cables routed through every joint.
- CoolingAir cooling for the joints and the electronics.
- Body coverThe soft outer cover: foam under textile, or a lattice polymer.
- Assembled robotJoints, pack, compute, perception and hands built onto the frame: the finished humanoid.
Other steps on the chain
- Nd/Pr metalMaterials
- Dysprosium and terbiumMaterials
- Gear steelMaterials
- Bearing steelMaterials
- Encoder sensor ICMaterials
- Power switchesMaterials
- Silicon wafersMaterials
- Laser diode and detectorMaterials
- NdFeB alloy powderActuated joint
- Cathode and anode materialsBattery pack
- SoC dieCompute
- LPDDR5X memoryCompute
- Robot computeCompute
- Image sensorPerception
- Perception setPerception